U-17 Eaglets arrive Abuja to a glorious welcome

Thousands of football loving Nigerians yesterday trooped out en mass at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja when the victorious Golden Eaglets touched down from Chile where they won a historic fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup.
It turned out a carnival of a sort immediately the team led by Coach Emmanuel Amuneke landed around 3.30pm after hours of voyage from the Southern American continent.
Thereafter, the players and their officials were ushered into the luxurious bus before they were treated to motorcade from the Airport through Garki Area 1 roundabout before retiring to top-rated Transcorp Hilton, where the National Sports Commission, NSC hosted them.
On arrival, Coach Amuneke who managed to speak to Nigerian Pilot Sports muttered “Thank God who gave us victory. It’s a victory for all Nigerians.”
For Goal Keeper trainer, Emeka Amadi who was part of 1987 Golden Eaglets as a player and further became part of Conquerors’ Eaglet team that won the cadet global trophy two years ago in the United Arab Emirates, roared “I’m a fulfilled man. I said it when I left Germany some years ago after I retired as player that I have come to Nigeria to work and make sure that better goalkeepers are groomed.”
Asked what will be his expectation from President Muhammadu Buhari when he eventually hosts them, Amadi whose joy knew no bounds added: “It’s left for the President to decide. When we won two years ago, something was given to us and so I believe this time will not be different.
“My happiness is that we are successful and came back safely, that is what matters to me most. I thank Nigerians for their prayers and support.”
Earlier, NSC DG Mallam Al Hassan Yakmut confirmed that the team would soon be received by President Buhari alongside athletes that won medals at African Games, Nigeria’s Basketball Men and female team, D’ Tigers and D’Tigresses among others who did the country proud in one sporting activities or the other since May 29, 2015 when he took over.